If you have been hanging around these parts for a while, you know that the model for this site is to tell you what the Rays have done, what they are doing and try to project what they will do based on what we have learned. Think of RI as “Tampa Bay Rays 101.”

However, for the next 12 days we will step away from the standard, and we present to you 12 “presents” the Tampa Bay Rays should give to their fans. Looking back at last year’s 12 Days of Raysmas, we see that many of our wishes came true (including that sweet no-hitter), and the result was another division title.

Without further ado…

On the eighth day of Raysmas, the Tampa Bay Rays gave to us, an EIGHT-game winning streak…

The Rays have had four seven-game winning streaks in the past three seasons, including two last year. Only once have the (Devil) Rays had a longer streak. That was their 12-game run back in 2004.

But if the Rays hope to compete in 2011, they will need at least one extended winning streak. To get to the playoffs, the Rays need to get to 26 games over .500 (94-68). But with an inexperienced offense, the Rays are probably going to have a lot of 3-3 weeks.

But one good hot streak, with both the offense and pitching staff clicking at the same time, and an eight-game winning streak will get the Rays one-third of the way to 26 games over .500.